MONTGOMERY—Governor Bentley on Wednesday announced that Government Technology magazine has ranked Alabama in the top 12 states for technology policy initiatives.
In the magazine’s April/May edition they cited Governor Bentley’s Great State 2019 Plan for their decision. In its evaluation of 41 governors’ state of the state addresses, the magazine named a few key areas that caught their attention including Governor Bentley’s plan to expand broadband across the state.
“Access to technology for all our citizens is essential to economic growth, job creation and the overall quality of life in Alabama,” Governor Bentley said. “Technology is growing at lightning speed while ever changing the way we educate, deliver healthcare, and even start a business. I appreciate Government Technology for highlighting Alabama’s efforts to increase the availability of broadband technology to all Alabamians.”
“Evident in this year’s speeches was a nearly across-the-board realization that competing against neighboring states for new and expanding businesses and preparing the next generation to participate in the 21st-century economy requires connectivity in every corner of the state,” the article reads.
Government Technology magazine is an award-winning publication covering information technology’s role in state and local governments. Through in-depth coverage of IT case studies, emerging technologies and the implications of digital technology on the policies and management of public sector organizations, Government Technology chronicles the dynamics of governing in the information age. It is owned by e.Republic Inc.
According to the latest FCC Broadband Report released in January, approximately 1-million Alabamians do not have access to what the FCC considers to be adequate broadband. Governor Bentley in 2015 created the Alabama Office of Broadband Development to continue to assess broadband coverage and gaps in service across the state. The Office will research grants on behalf of state agencies and local governments for the development of broadband in Alabama. It will also collect and share information with stakeholders, such as challenges, opportunities, resources, webinars, maps and public policies that enhance or hamper Broadband deployment and usage
The online version of the article is available here.
Media Release/Office of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley
